CostIndexUSA

Allentown, PA vs Plano, TX Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordablePA
Allentown
100
overall index
$1,750/mo rent
TX
Plano
103.1
overall index
$1,775/mo rent

Allentown is slightly cheaper than Plano — 3.1% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Allentown, you would need $82,500 in Plano. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing+11.8%
Allentown
105.5
Plano
117.9
🛒 Groceries+2.2%
Allentown
100.6
Plano
102.8
🚗 Transportation+2.0%
Allentown
102.6
Plano
104.7
🏥 Healthcare+1.9%
Allentown
92.9
Plano
94.7
Utilities15.7%
Allentown
107.6
Plano
90.7

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Allentown to see what you'd need to earn in Plano to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Plano, TX
$82,500
$2,500 more needed in Plano

Formula: salary × (103.1 ÷ 100) = salary × 1.0310. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Allentown, PA

Median Home Price
$349,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,750
Housing Index
105.5
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.6×

Plano, TX

Median Home Price
$450,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,775
Housing Index
117.9
Price-to-Rent Ratio
21.1×

Plano has 11.8% higher housing costs compared to Allentown.

Income & Job Market

Allentown, PA

Median Household Income
$81,200
Per Capita Income
$46,300
Unemployment Rate
4.7%
Population
125,845
Top Industries
HealthcareManufacturingRetailLogisticsFinance

Plano, TX

Median Household Income
$86,900
Per Capita Income
$49,500
Unemployment Rate
3.9%
Population
285,494
Top Industries
TechnologyFinanceHealthcareTelecommunicationsRetail

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Allentown, PA
3.9×income-to-rent ratio

74% of income left after rent (median)

Plano, TX
4.1×income-to-rent ratio

75% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.